# heartless

/ˈhɑɹtɫəs/ (US) · /hˈɑːtləs/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/heartless
Updated: 2026-08-27

## Senses

### 1. cruel or uncaring

adjective · CEFR B2

having no pity or sympathy for other people.

For teachers: lacking compassion, empathy, or emotional sensitivity toward the suffering of others.

- It was heartless of him to fire his assistant right before the holidays.
- The critics described the policy as heartless, arguing that it ignored the basic needs of the most vulnerable members of society.

### 2. lacking courage

adjective · CEFR C2 · Archaic · Literary

feeling afraid or having no spirit to keep trying.

For teachers: destitute of courage or spirit; characterized by fearfulness or a lack of resolve.

- The soldiers stood heartless and trembling as the enemy approached the gates.
- In the face of such overwhelming odds, the once-bold explorers became heartless and considered abandoning their mission entirely.

Usage: In modern English, this sense is almost entirely replaced by 'cowardly' or 'discouraged'.

### 3. without a physical heart

adjective · CEFR C1 · Technical

not having a physical heart inside the body.

For teachers: lacking a biological heart; often used in a technical or science-fiction context.

- The scientist designed a heartless robot that functioned using a complex battery system.
- Certain primitive organisms are naturally heartless, relying on simple diffusion rather than a circulatory system to move nutrients.

## Examples

- It was heartless of him to leave his dog outside in the rain.
- The company's heartless decision to fire the staff right before the holidays caused a public outcry.
- Critics described the policy as heartless, arguing that it prioritised bureaucratic efficiency over the basic human needs of the most vulnerable citizens.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.